IBON opens to gov’t inspection days before anti-terrorism law effectivity

Hulyo 15, 2020

NEWS

With the Anti-Terrorism Law soon coming into effect, research group IBON opened their office for inspection by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and Bgy. Sacred Heart officials. The ocular inspection was requested to show IBON’s transparency and prove the absence of illegal materials and equipment on the premises.

On the BBB fix: Why do you build me up?

Hulyo 11, 2020

FEATURES

The government is still hell-bent on pursuing a grand infrastructure program amid the pandemic and despite its actually bleak accomplishments so far. The government says it will revise its list of infrastructure projects to adapt to COVID-19. But does it really have the will to shift the focus of its infrastructure program, or even the capacity to fully implement this?

Gov’t creating pretext to use Anti-Terrorism Law against IBON?

Hulyo 11, 2020

The persistent falsehoods and malicious accusations spread by the PNA and NTF-ELCAC appear to be laying the groundwork for the Anti-Terrorism Law to be used against the institution and its research and education work. These accusations are however baseless and IBON will continue to explain socioeconomic and political issues, uphold the interest of the marginalized majority of Filipinos, and advocate against unjust and inequitable economic structures.

Higher inflation for poorest Filipinos underscores urgent need for continued cash subsidies

Hulyo 8, 2020

NEWS

Higher inflation is problematic but particularly burdens the poorest Filipinos. Inflation rates for the 30% poorest households are higher than the national average. Especially amid historic joblessness, this affirms how the government should continue giving cash subsidies as income support, the group said.

Extend Preparation through a 6-month Bridge Period, and Postpone School Opening to January 2021

Hulyo 7, 2020

POLICY NOTE

The EFD shares in the objective of ensuring the right and access to education of Filipino learners, and believes that learning should continue despite the pandemic. But we cannot support any rushed implementation without ensuring the maximum support to the three most important stakeholders – teachers, learners and parents.

Talking ‘bout a (bike) revolution

Hulyo 1, 2020

BIRD FEED

In Metro Manila, you have to be a warrior to assert more sustainable options for mobility, including simply being a pedestrian. You have to fight for a lane, a space, a green light, a minute. And as a female cyclist, you also have to fight for a little respect. On the road, we are the lowest form of life, along with the mass of public transport commuters who struggle everyday to get to their destinations. It’s a lonely road.

Gov’t should check SAP’s gross failure as COVID cases rise – IBON

Hunyo 30, 2020

The Duterte government should correct the huge shortfall of the Social Amelioration Program (SAP) especially amid a continuously increasing number of COVID-19 cases. About 9 million out of the target 18 million poor households received only one tranche of emergency aid, or just Php53 per day over 106 days of COVID-19 lockdown.

Hatid Probinsya and Balik Probinsya, more harm than good?

Hunyo 29, 2020

In the absence of a mass testing program, Balik Probinsya and Hatid Probinsya are turning out to be additional sources of COVID-19 transmission in some provinces. It is a disaster slowly unfolding especially with the healthcare capacity in rural areas much lower than in the NCR.

Part 2: The anomaly of transport modernization

Hunyo 27, 2020

FEATURES

The Duterte government can address the transport crisis in the time of COVID-19 and in fact can look at the pandemic as an opportunity to overhaul the system. The health protocols may be followed indeed if only the government recognizes and addresses the transport crisis in a scientific manner.